Screenwriting : Day Job by Duncan Kinzie

Duncan; the cold hard truth is that it's hard (which is why so few make it). It took me well over 30 years in a very stressful industry to rise from a wet-behind-the-ears kid to retirement after reaching national recognition and prominence in my career. It takes time, dedication and hard work to become the world's most respected authority at whatever you decide to do to pay the rent. Then you can play with your writing.

I do strange things in my "Little Korea" neighborhood.

I work as a book editor and proofreader.

Network Marketing, and a 9 to 5.

I'm a Warehouse associate

I'm a professional writer in corporate communications, and prior to that I ran a small publishing house (among other things).

I am a qualified Chartered Accountant and i exclusively give freelancer service to the entertainment industry. So as long i am not getting a chance in front of a camera so it better to in and around the camera and wait for the oppurtunity.

Actually I’m unemployed. I’m studying to work with the disabled. I’m also lucky enough to be involved with lots of short film work some of it paid.

I'm an I.T. Specialist, proving tech support for a medical facility. Which works out well for my sci-fi writing.

Thanks everyone! So what I'm hearing is that it's a long grind and you just gotta buckle down into whatever works for you. There's no guarantee that you'll catch a break so it's best to hold onto something substantial and stable while you work.

Follow up: When do you find the time to work on your craft? Do y'all have any tips for time management?

Duncan, I'm a machine operator for a plastics factory here in Omaha...the job I've had the longest by far (began on 1-26-2004). Lately, I've been using weekends and holidays to actually write; sometimes, I sneak in a few lines (or even a page a day) on weekdays.

All the VERY BEST to you, Duncan...so glad you're here on Stage 32!

Duncan, your definition of success is unique to you and achieving the pinnacle requires long hard effort - it ain't easy, but it is doable. All the best on your journey.

Duncan Kinzie Finding time waxes and wanes, depending on the workload of the day job. One way that works for me is to write one scene a day, even if I know it is more of a place holder than a real scene. It will get me thinking about the next one and so on.

Dunkin, I am retired from the military and later from teaching. I worked for two years at a wound care center as a hyperbaric chamber technician. I have taken the year off to finish two novels and a script. The year is nearly up, so I will return to the clinic or the classroom. I am getting a little bored.

Have a true story, ready to go. God bless you all.

Best,

Adam

I am selling liquor. Some people give me good inspiration to write. I write them as a character then kill them off.

I work in the Intelligence industry

I work in television production full time, and write freelance adaptations (taking clients' base work, books, life story, etc. and adapting for film or tv). In the hours I'm NOT doing that I'm revising my own samples n' such so that I have a few ready to go if the opportunity arises.

In regards to time management - it's HARD! There's not a great answer, other then finding what works for you. I'm not great at setting my own deadlines so I joined a writing group and have someone that works as an accountability buddy for me - no one wants to be the person in the group that didn't make it a priority and has nothing to show, you know?

Figure out what you CAN control and then do that. I tend to change workspaces when I'm writing vs. doing my production work. I work from home right now, so for me that means moving from my desk to a different chair in the living room after 6PM. I have a candle I love that I only light when I'm writing (trying to "condition" my brain that it's time to be creative. No idea if it works, but why not try it?). I've started using an app called "Forest" that is a timer you set for productivity.

Also - be kind to yourself. I can only do all of this crap right now because I have no kids and a supportive partner. Set yourself up for success and then work within your means.

Hope some of this helps!

I'd also add, Duncan, that if you have photography experience already, you might be more qualified for several industry positions than you think you are, depending on your training, experience, and type of photography. If you're knowledgeable with gear, you can potentially work at rental houses or on set in camera & lighting depts. If you're great with candid shots and available lighting and have your own equipment or are willing to invest, you can do on-set photography. I currently work in stop-motion animation and that requires its own breed of specialized camera and lighting team.

Not sure if you're interested in any of that since a lot of times those jobs are long hours and unreliable, just like any other industry position - just wanted to point out that you shouldn't write off your experience.

I was a cake decorator, but now I own a trucking company. Time has always been a struggle for me. I got married in high school and my husband ended up having several strokes that caused him to be bedridden for the last 5 years of his life. I worked 3 jobs to keep up on his medical bills and between the 3 jobs, the hubby and 2 kids my writing took a backseat. He passed of a heart attack at 33. Now the kids are all out on their own and I thought I would have much more time to write but the trucking company takes a lot of my time. Time is always a precious commodity. The one thing I have learned over the years is you can't wait for time to come to you...you have to just take hold of it and realize that your art is as important as everything else.

I've held numerous industry jobs to make ends meet while also developing personal projects. I'd highly recommend it, as sometimes the people you meet in the industry can help move your projects along in ways you wouldn't be able to otherwise.

I also agree with Amanda, if you're leaning to get an industry job, look at your skills from photography. There's a number of on set / off set production jobs that might apply including photography for various departments, art, props, camera, lighting, grip, wardrobe, production, vfx, or even post production jobs if you're good at photo/image editing or layout.

Sometimes you might need to take a job that isn't the most glamorous just to get in the door and make the contacts you need to move forward. Working in the industry is often about the connections you make, how well you can do a job and if people want to keep working with you.

Dawn Chandler Wow, that's incredible - I sincerely hope you are using some part of your personal journey in your scripts!